First, staining requires at least two coats, I did only one because of time constraints. It is OK, but would have been better with two coats of stain. I used the water-based Minwax, which was good.

Also, having tried rags (not that great) and terry sponges specifically made for staining; the latter proved much easier to use. I stained two hollow flush doors in the vertical position in the garage because of space limitations.

Two, about the sealing; I tried the Minwax Polyacryllic (forgot the spelling). I first tried the satin, looked like I did nothing.

I used a second coat of the same product using semi-gloss and the doors looked much better after the second coat, again, two coats seems to be the rule.

One problem I encountered and do not know how to solve, the brushes I used (recommended by a Home Depot employee) were losing bristles during the sealing. I was able to pick off most of them, but a couple were sealed in, though you have to look really hard to see them.

Admonish anyone who seals NOT to use the less expensive brushes, even if recommended by your home improvement store. Though since I haven’t tried them, I’m not sure that the more costly brushes would be any better. It was a maddening process picking off the bristles.

If I can help anyone else avoid the problems I had during staining and sealing wood doors, I’ll feel my mistakes have some redeeming value.

Thank you,
New to “Challenging” Home Improvement Projects